Chapter 15 The policy of the monarch and his ministers
Capital of the Ming Dynasty.
As several refugee relief points were set up in the city, and after providing porridge twice a day, refugees from all directions gathered.
In just over ten days, hundreds of thousands of refugees poured into the capital, making the already chaotic outer city even more congested and chaotic.
Although Zhu Cihong issued a strict order, asking the Jin Yiwei to dedicate some manpower to join forces with the Military and Horse Division to maintain order, it was still to no avail. A large number of thefts, robberies and annihilations occurred almost every day.
As a last resort, they had to order some of the refugees to be relocated to the inner city, and the situation improved.
However, it also aroused strong dissatisfaction among the dignitaries in the inner city.
………
"The sinful minister Zhou Yu is lucky, and he kowtows to my emperor. Long live my emperor!"
"Zhou Aiqing, please get up quickly!"
Zhu Cixi got up and left the dragon chair with some excitement, came to the hall, and personally helped Zhou Yuji up.
He couldn't help but feel excited. Now there was no shortage of soldiers, horses, money, or food in the city. The only thing missing was a general who knew how to defend the city and was good at fighting.
Those nobles are all half-hearted. It's okay to let them guard a city wall, but there is no one who can take charge of the overall situation.
Although Wu Xiang and Tang Tong were also veterans who had experienced many wars, they were not loyal enough. He would never dare to entrust them with the important task of defending the city.
As for himself, although he knew a lot of military common sense from TV dramas or novels in his previous life, it was all about talking on paper after all.
Coupled with the difference between ancient and modern warfare, if he is really allowed to take charge of the overall situation, be responsible for dispatching the army, and hold on to a city with a circumference of more than fifty miles, he will not have the slightest confidence.
Zhou Yuji is undoubtedly the most suitable candidate, and his ability and loyalty have been proven in history.
With only tens of thousands of incoming troops, they were able to hold back the million-strong invading army at Ningwu Pass for more than ten days, killing and injuring more than 100,000 thieves.
In the end, if he hadn't run out of troops and food, and took the initiative to switch to a decisive battle, he might have been able to hold on to Ningwuguan and force the invaders back, which shows his strong organizational and command capabilities.
So Zhu Cixiang has great confidence in him.
"Your Majesty, I have failed to hold on to the Ningwuguan Pass and stop the rebel army because I have failed to do so. Please forgive me!"
Seeing Zhu Cixiang treating him like this, Zhou Yuji felt even more guilty and knelt down again to apologize.
"What's the crime of loving you?"
"Ai Qing, with a small number of soldiers, not only held off the rebel army for more than ten days and bought me half a month, but also killed and wounded a large number of the rebel army and weakened their morale.
Therefore, not only are you not guilty, but you have made great achievements. Moreover, it is not because Aiqing did not hold on to Ningwuguan, but because I ordered you to abandon Ningwuguan and return to Beijing to join the defense. If you are guilty, it is my fault, not your fault.
I love you!"
Zhu Cixi helped him up again, held his hand, and said seriously.
In the last week of history, Yu Ji died in battle in front of Ningwuguan. His death was extremely tragic, and his family members also followed him to die for the country. It can be said that he was full of loyalty.
Naturally, he would not be allowed to bear the stain of abandoning the city.
"His Majesty…"
At this moment, Zhou Yuji, an iron-clad general, burst into tears and was choked with sobs that he could not speak.
Obviously, he also understands Zhu Cixi’s good intentions.
After his mood stabilized, Zhu Cihong introduced the current situation in the capital and then asked:
"Zhou Aiqing, you have been fighting with the intruder for more than half a month. You should know the intruder very well. I wonder if you have any opinions on the next situation?"
"Your Majesty is so flattering that I can't even speak of having high opinions. I do have some foolish opinions!"
"You don't have to be humble if you love me, feel free to speak your mind freely!"
"Your Majesty, although the number of the intruders is large and they claim to be an army of one million, the actual number is only half a million at most, and the good and the bad are mixed. Except for a few elites, most of the rest have low combat effectiveness, even worse than our army.
Now it has been six days since I abandoned the pass, and the bandit army must have arrived at Datong. Although there are more than 100,000 soldiers in the two towns, there is no danger to defend them.
I expected that within five days, the bandit army would completely occupy Datong and Xuanfu, and their frontline would be directed at Juyong Pass. If Juyong Pass was lost, the capital would no longer have a barrier.
Therefore, I boldly request your Majesty to allow me to garrison Juyong Pass. I only need 20,000 troops and horses. I will defend it to the death and prevent the rebels from crossing Juyong Pass even half a step."
When Zhou Yuji finished speaking, he knelt down again with determination on his face.
"Ai Qing, please rise. I naturally believe that with Ai Qing's ability, I will be able to defend Juyong Pass. However, the rebel army still has a way south and has already reached Baoding.
At that time, the connection between the capital and Juyongguan will inevitably be cut off. At that time, Aiqing will be attacked from both sides, with no reinforcements from outside, and no weapons and food at home. It may not last long.
Instead of doing this, it would be better to concentrate our forces to defend one city in the capital and use thieves to circle around, waiting for a turn of events."
Zhu Cihong knew that asking Zhou Yuji to guard Juyong Pass would only buy him another month at most, and would not have much effect on the overall situation.
"Your Majesty, the rebel army's southern route is no more than a partial division. Ningyuan's commander-in-chief Wu Sangui is brave and good at fighting, and his Guan Ning cavalry is enough to repel the rebel army's southern route."
Zhou Yuji cupped his fists and suggested again.
"Alas! If that's the case, what's the need for me... It's a pity that not all generals in our Ming Dynasty are as loyal as Ai Qing!"
Zhu Cixiang sighed and said helplessly.
If Wu Sangui really leads the Guan Ning cavalry to come to the rescue, letting Zhou Yuji guard Juyong Pass is indeed the best choice and the best plan to repel the invading army.
It's a shame that half a month has passed, and Wu Sangui's bitch has still not been seen. I don't know if that guy followed his order after receiving the imperial edict, and evacuated all the troops and people back to Shanhaiguan, abandoned Ningyuan City, and returned to the capital to aid.
Zhou Yuji clearly understood the virtues of military generals in the late Ming Dynasty. When the Supreme Emperor was on the throne, most of the military generals in various places acted in a submissive manner. Now that His Majesty has ascended the throne not long ago, the situation may only become more serious.
Now seeing His Majesty say this, although he was resentful that Wu Sangui had disobeyed the order, he could only remain silent and did not mention guarding Juyong Pass again.
Because he knew that if he could not defeat the South Route bandit army, it would indeed happen as His Majesty said.
Looking at the entire Ming Dynasty, I am afraid that only the Guan Ning cavalry under Wu Sangui can defeat the more than 300,000 rebels on the southern route in a field battle.
"Zhou Aiqing, if I let you serve as the general who defends the city, are you sure you can defend the capital?"
Zhu Cixiang didn’t dwell on this topic anymore.
He also knew that if he wanted to repel the invading army, he would most likely have to rely on Wu Sangui's Guan Ning cavalry.
But it is unrealistic to rely entirely on that guy to save his life.
"Your Majesty, how can I be so virtuous and capable of...?"
"Alas, there is no need to be humble, Aiqing. There is no one else in the capital who can take on this important task except Aiqing."
Zhu Cihong waved his hand.
Seeing that His Majesty trusted him so much, Zhou Yuji stopped being pretentious.
"Your Majesty, if there is enough food and grass in the city, it should not be difficult to defend it. However, I just arrived today and I don't know much about the soldiers in the capital camp, so I dare not make any rash conclusions."
"Don't worry about food and grass. I've been sending Jinyi Weidong Factory to collect food from all over the past half month. As of today, the stockpile of food and grass has reached one million dan.
My dear, you have been tired all the way. Let’s go back and have a good night’s rest today. Then we can discuss it with you tomorrow after we inspect all the departments in the capital camp.”
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Zhou Yuji quickly thanked him, then resigned and left.
In the past five days, he and the soldiers had been galloping all the way, and they were indeed exhausted to the extreme.
